Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban did not mince words when discussing his former player, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
Saban was on The Pat McAfee Show the morning of the 2026 NFL draft discussing Proctor, and he told the crew that while he is a people mover, he had some concerns about his ability to turn things up on game day and his ability to stay disciplined off the field.
"The issue with him is - he's not a bad person. He'll do whatever you ask him to, once you get him in the building. But when he's not in the building, he might get a little overweight, he might not come in in the best shape, and those are the things you have to manage with him. But I think they're manageable. He's not exactly a self-starter who will get in great shape and come to camp like you want him. But if you can get him to come to camp, (once) you got him there, you can get him ready to go. So, I don't think that's a huge negative for the guy."
Lions should be cautious after Saban's latest Proctor comments
"Not exactly a self starter" feels like the last thing Lions fans expect general manager Brad Holmes to want on this roster, especially with the team being known as a tough-nosed NFC North squad. Dealing with a rookie that isn't motivated to stay in shape or ready to start also doesn't sound right for Detroit's current timeline, despite the positional need.
There are several other big names to watch for in this tackle class within the first round, such as Monroe Freeling, Spencer Fano, or Blake Miller. It sure does feel like, if the Lions take Saban's comments seriously, they will begin to look more at these options outside of Proctor.
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While the former coach ended his comments with the addendum that he didn't feel it was a huge negative, it does feel like an unfortunately timed critique of his former tackle. There's no way to read this other than negatively.
The Lions could also just be throwing up the greatest smoke screen of all time with their telegraphed Proctor interest. It's pretty unlike Holmes to leak a favorite player within the draft so early, whereas it is likely for him to be working the phones for a trade up or down in the first round. And, that's exactly what ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is reporting that Holmes is doing.
Detroit just can't afford to get this pick wrong, especially at a position of need.
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